What really happens when you delete a file

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When you "delete" a file, it gets moved to the trash or recycle bin in your operating system. However, as Linus from the Techquickie YouTube channel explains, emptying the trash or recycle bin doesn't remove that data.

The only thing removed when you empty the trash or recycle bin is the master file table reference, which merely tells the operating system where the file was located. Deleting a file would be adequate if you were simply trying to free up space on the hard drive or reduce clutter. Files containing personal information, business records, and financial reports are not safe if merely deleted.

For these documents, you need to take further steps to ensure that the records are irretrievable and that cybercriminals cannot find them on your hard drive. Ask yourself those same three questions. Formatting a hard drive and wiping it clean are not the same things.

Formatted hard drives will still contain retrievable data. If you wish to permanently delete files, you will need to overwrite the data with special software. There are free versions of eraser software for both Macs and PCs. Always back up anything you do not wish to lose once the hard drive has been wiped clean, after which it will be impossible or very expensive to retrieve any lost data. You should consider wiping a hard drive to protect your personal information in all of the following cases:.

Otherwise, these files are there for the taking, and anyone with recovery software and bad intentions could access them and invade your privacy. All rights reserved. Firefox is a trademark of Mozilla Foundation. Table of contents. Manage your files - OneDrive work or school. Next: Share and sync - OneDrive work or school. Table of contents Manage your files - OneDrive work or school. OneDrive training.

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